Query: "A high tuck a-haw" in "Turkey in the Straw"

[Sam Clements]

And you can safely ignore what I posted previously.  :(

The tune(and words) are from at least 1861, attributed to either Dan Emmett
or Dan Bryant, both members of a minstrel group.  So, it could still be from
Black English--or not.

Sam Clements
----- Original Message -----
From: "Sam Clements" <SClements at NEO.RR.COM>
To: <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
Sent: Sunday, June 13, 2004 10:12 AM
Subject: Re: Query: "A high tuck a-haw" in "Turkey in the Straw"


> Considering that the song magically appears in newspaper references and
> advertisements around 1899-1900, and is billed as a ragtime/cake
walk/negro
> song, you might look to Black English.  Just a possibility.
>
> Sam Clements
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Gerald Cohen" <gcohen at UMR.EDU>
> To: <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Sent: Friday, June 11, 2004 5:45 PM
> Subject: Query: "A high tuck a-haw" in "Turkey in the Straw"
>
>
> > A colleague has asked me about the meaning of "A high tuck-a-haw" in
> > the lyrics of the song "Turkey in the Straw."  Would anyone know?
> > The relevant verse is:
> >
> >         Turkey in the straw,
> >         Turkey in the straw,
> >         Roll 'em up and twist 'em up
> >         A high tuck a-haw
> >         And hit 'em up a tune called
> >         Turkey in the Straw.
> >
> > Also, what does "Roll 'em up and twist 'em up" refer to?
> >
> > Gerald Cohen
> >
>